Phrase used to claim there are too many bosses, not enough workers, but also used to lament the over-education of the "masses," who should realize their place. Usually uttered by yuppies or their parents, quite confident that no one in their circle will end up a mere "Indian."
"Ah, another fellowship program, but you can't find a good lawn man these days. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians."
by Nick Cusa March 30, 2008
1. An early version of the term "bebop," i.e., a modern jazz style popularized by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and others. The term continued to be popular in England into the 1970s, and is sometimes combined with "bebop" to produce scat-sounding jive talk--e.g. "Bepob with the Rebop."
2. Cab Calloway uses it generally for joyous, intoxicating music, with a hint (as so often in Cab's hep talk) of drugs (see example).
2. Cab Calloway uses it generally for joyous, intoxicating music, with a hint (as so often in Cab's hep talk) of drugs (see example).
Cab Calloway lyrics, from "Hi De Ho Man" (1947): "How'd you like to blow your top?/Dig yourself some fine rebop?/ Hi de hi, he de he,/ It's the Hi de ho man, that's me!"
by Nick Cusa September 23, 2006